NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.

The pilot reported that the airplane had flown about 4 hours, 25 minutes, including two takeoffs and climbs, since its last fueling. When the airplane was about 3 miles from the destination airport at 1,200 feet above ground level, the engine lost all power. The fuel selector was positioned to the left main fuel tank when the power loss occurred. The pilot moved the selector to the right main fuel tank, but the engine did not regain power. The pilot then performed a forced landing to a road. During the landing, he veered left to avoid an automobile and the left wing impacted a median. The airplane spun 180 degrees and came to rest upright. Postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failure that would have precluded normal operation; however, there was impact-related damage to both wings. The left main fuel tank was intact and did not contain any fuel. Although the top of the right main fuel tank had been compromised, there was no evidence that fuel had leaked from that tank. About 1/2 gallon of fuel was found in the right main fuel tank.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during approach due to fuel exhaustion.

The pilot reported that the airplane had been flying about 4 hours, 25 minutes since its last fueling, which included two takeoffs and climbs. Toward the end of a long cross-country flight, during approach to the destination airport, the engine lost all power. At that time, the airplane was approximately 3 miles from the destination airport at 1,200 feet above ground level. The fuel selector was positioned to the left main fuel tank when the power loss occurred. The pilot moved it to the right main fuel tank, but the engine did not regain power. The pilot then performed a forced landing to a road. During the landing, he had to veer left to avoid an automobile and the left wing impacted a median. The airplane spun 180 degrees and came to rest upright. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to both wings. The inspector noted that the left wing fuel tank was intact and did not contain any fuel. The right wing fuel tank had been compromised; however, it was only compromised on the top of the tank and no fuel leaked from the right main fuel tank. The inspector observed approximately 1/2 gallon of fuel in the right main fuel tank. The inspector did not observe and mechanical malfunctions that would have contributed to the loss of engine power, nor did the pilot report any.

A small plane in distress made a forced landing on a Cooper City roadway
Saturday afternoon, and the two people aboard managed to walk away with
no serious injuries.

The single engine plane was coming from
Georgia and heading to North Perry Airport in Pembroke Pines when it
landed near the intersection of Pine Island Road and Sheridan Street on
Saturday at 12:17 p.m. Saturday, Broward Sheriff’s spokeswoman Keyla
Concepcion said.

Along with the pilot, there was one passenger aboard the plane.

The
single engine plane, an N2610w, was pretty close to the airport when
the pilot lost power and made the landing, FAA spokeswoman Holly Baker
said.

The incident is being investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration, Baker said.

Traffic was closed in the eastbound lane of Sheridan Road while the scene was cleared.

“It’s
a good day when an aircraft lands on a roadway anywhere, but
specifically on Sheridan Street, in the weather we’re having and with
the traffic other there and end up with no injuries,’’ said Tom
Gallagher, a public information officer for Pembroke Pines Fire Rescue
at the scene.

The pilot of the plane was identified as William
McConnell, 68, of Clarksville, Ga., and the passenger was James
Avanaugh, 54, of Athens, Ga.

Witnesses said they were surprised to see the plane landing on the busy street.

Daniel Bedgood was mowing his lawn nearby when he heard a loud noise.

“I heard this big boom,’’ said Bedgood. “It’s by the grace of God that they’re not hurt.’’

PEMBROKE PINES (CBS4) – Two people on board a small plane were not injured when they were forced to make an emergency landing on a busy Broward street Saturday afternoon.
Federal Aviation Administration spokesperson Kathleen Bergen said the single engine Mooney M20C aircraft left Atlanta this morning and was approaching North Perry airport in Hollywood when it suddenly lost power.

The pilot was forced to land the plane on its belly at the intersection of North Douglas and Sheridan Street.

Neither the pilot nor his passenger were injured.

Officials are trying to determine what caused the aircraft to lose power.

Sheridan Street is blocked off while the investigation continues and the plane is towed.